Postponed: A Highly-Anticipated Return to Safeco Field

Former Mariner fan-favorite Carlos Silva is hurt again. Well, he is hurt enough to have his next start bumped back two days. Why is this significant? Instead of squaring off against Felix on Thursday, Silva will take on the White Sox on Saturday. He will miss a great opportunity to pitch in his old home ballpark–a place where he enjoyed so many memorable moments.

Or, maybe Lou Piniella–in his own homecoming of sorts–is just making the most prudent move for his ballclub. Despite the fact that the Mariner offense continues to struggle, Silva doesn’t exactly have an outstanding track record at Safeco Field.

Silva: “In Seattle, the only thing I hear is my weight.”

In the two seasons Silva called Safeco home, he didn’t exactly get guys out on a consistent basis. Fresh off the signing of a 4 year, 48 million dollar contract that was said at the time to bring the top free agent pitcher on the market to Seattle, Silva’s Mariner tenure began great: of his first six starts as a Mariner, five of those were quality starts. But, the Silva success train was derailed soon thereafter, as he ultimately racked up a 5-18 record and 6.81 ERA in his two seasons with the Mariners. He was traded to the Cubs this past offseason for Milton Bradley and has done okay for himself so far in the National League.

But Silva is being scratched from his Safeco start. Perhaps Lou took a look at Silva’s numbers in this ballpark over the past couple years as he was making his decision to hold out his portly starter. In 2008, Silva went 2-7 at home, with a 6.10 ERA and opposing batters averaged .313 against him. In 2009, he fared even worse. He only pitched four games at home (3 starts), but his numbers were horrible–7.16 ERA, 1/1 BB to SO ratio, .356 opposing OBP.

Mariners hitters will have to wait to take on that dreaded Silva sinker. More importantly, Mariner fans, who suffered through two Silva seasons, will have to hold their cheers and applause for Silva’s triumphant return until another time. I know I can’t wait.